‘Mobile cameras can be used to curb corruption’

Mobile cameras can be an effective tool to curb corruption, said N Vittal, former chief vigilance commissioner, on the first day of the annual festival of Nirma University, I-Fest 2009, on Friday. “Any citizen with a mobile camera can carry out a sting operation on a corrupt official. The role of the electronic and print media is commendable and is continuously exposing corrupt officials,” he said.

According to Vittal, the chief vigilance commissioner from 1998 to 2002, the level of corruption in India has not gone down in the last decade. He was in the city for a programme organised by Nirma University and Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd as part of I-Fest 2009.

When asked about the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in checking corruption, he said, “The condition of the CBI is like Draupadi, who had many masters. It is known to everyone that its working is affected by political interference.”

When asked whether India needed a new organisation in this regard, entrusted with more power and independent from political influence and intervention, Vittal said, “There is no need to create new body. We should free the CBI from political intervention and bring in the element of accountability.”

“We will be able to tackle corruption only if we follow a three-point strategy. The first point is the simplification of rules and regulations so that the scope for corruption is reduced. The second is empowering the public and ushering in greater transparency. The third is effective punishment,” Vittal said.